Considered the unofficial kick-off to summer, Memorial Day Weekend seems to bring out the summer swimmers, boaters, barbequers and weekend travelers in many of us.  That means things we haven’t been doing the last several months, will again be new, exciting and could even be dangerous for our pets!  Please supervise, supervise, supervise, and keep the following in mind while having fun…

Cook-outs

With their unmatched sense of smell, food grilling outdoors is a treat not to be missed by the canine nose.  Some dogs are even bold enough to grab food from the grill, resulting in 2^nd degree burns to the snout, mouth and paws — an immediate medical emergency!

Charcoal briquettes (soaked with the juices of grilling meats) chomped upon can upset the stomach (if not burn all the way down) but if swallowed whole, they can block the intestines!  Add to that the poisoning implications if they are soaked with lighter fluid.

As for the picnic itself, the salty chips, fried chicken and other highly seasoned foods or greasy foods are not good for dogs or cats.  They don’t metabolize them like we do and can end up with a severe inflammation of the pancreas!  Never give cooked bones and avoid giving dogs foods that contain onions such as potato salad.  Many fruits and vegetables are awesome PAWSome (the raw flesh of peaches, apples, watermelon, bananas, zucchini and carrots for instance – but keep seeds and pits away), but dogs must not consume grapes, raisins, chocolate or food (such as sugarless gum) containing the sweetener Xylitol. These can lead to ailments from minor stomach upset to death!  Also, keep corncobs out of paws reach.  Not only can they be a choking hazard, but also create an intestinal blockage.

Make sure dogs and cats both have a quiet place to retreat to during the noisy festivities, and emphasize to guests the need to not leave doors or gates open for even a second!

Water

Whether your weekend includes a trip to the beach, the backyard pool or a boat trip, there are some Must Dos if Fido tags along.  The best human swimmers can get caught in an undertow or fatigue, and all dogs DO NOT know how to swim, do be sure pets near water are suited up with a properly fitting life vest.  Best yet, The Pet Safety Crusader LOVES the HedzUp Water Collar that keeps your dog’s head out of the water even if he goes unconscious.  Short-necked breeds like bulldogs and pugs, have a difficult time keeping their heads afloat, so the humans who came up with this flotation device, really have our dogs best interest at heart!  Use PROMO CODE: CRUSADER for 15% off!

Since the days are getting warmer, it’s vital you keep pets well-hydrated all day long.  Make sure a water bowl is available, in a shady location, and always filled to the rim.  Drinking salt water can lead to serious dehydration, and lakes and ponds may have bacteria and intestinal parasites that can result in Giardia (massive quantities of vomit & diarrhea that can be passed along to you), Leptospirosis (which severely affects the kidneys), Algae poisoning and other bacterial infections.  Bring along enough water for Fido as well and wash him off quickly if he has been in any body of water, so he doesn’t ingest its contents when he grooms himself, and dry out those ears!

Bugs & Pet First-Aid

If you haven’t already, it is time to speak with your veterinarian about flea, tick and heartworm deterrent.  Although most of us think these problems are confined to certain areas of the country, disease has spread with travelling and relocated pets, and heartworm can be found all the way to the West Coast!   Know how to safely remove a tick.  I count on tweezers by TickEase® to help me do the job, but often start off by placing a cottonball soaked in either dish soap or rubbing alcohol on the tick first to see if he’ll back out of the pet.

Have other first-aid supplies on hand as well in case you need to bandage a cut paw, soothe an upset canine tummy or treat a big sting! All of these skills, and a whole lot more, can be learned in a number of my books or classes offered at www.PetSafetyCrusader.com  The best pet parents stay prepared and bone-up on their skills regularly so that they can go on auto-pilot when Fido or Fluffy needs them most.

Travel & Weather

Make sure pets have properly fitting collars and harnesses.  The super tough ones by DigIt don’t absorb odors and have a special patented buckle and loop to keep ID tags separate from the leash hook!  Which brings me to…ID TAGS & MICROCHIPS.  Make sure tags are securely attached with the most up-to-date info (including your cell phone or number you can be reached at while travelling) and are easy to read.  Also confirm microchip info is correctly in a database.

If you don’t have a doggie seatbelt or kitty carrier that can be safely secured to a car seat, what are you waiting for?  Cars going 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 mph may stop when you slam on the brakes, but your pet will continue at the speed until something stops him – mainly the back of a seat or the windshield!  Never let pets roam freely in a car for your sake and theirs!  Visit www.CenterForPetSafety.org to find products carrying their seal of approval.

Plot out Animal Emergency Centers along your route just in case something isn’t quite right with your furry best friend and research well BEFORE you emBARK.  Many places that claim to be “pet friendly” have a different definition than what YOU believe.  Some only allow pets 20 lbs. and under, some ban certain breeds or species while others, although seemingly welcoming, have no outdoor grassy areas for your pet to answer nature’s call.  Don’t get caught by surprise, ask questions and reconfirm answers.

Don’t take pets into situations they could find upsetting, loud concerts in the park, too large crowds, fireworks or even places without shade and grass.  Having a four-legged travel buddy can be awesome, but you CAN NOT EVER leave him alone in a parked car for even a few minutes.  Even with windows open, a parked car can quickly reach more than 150 degrees resulting in heat stroke, permanent brain damage or death to your pet.

Hot concrete & asphalt can burn precious paws!  If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for paws.  Walk during the cooler parts of the day and stick to grass and shady areas.  Dog shoes are great on hot surfaces for short periods of time, but since heat is expelled from the pads of the feet, you dog is likely to overheat if his paws are covered for long.

Hot weather brings out snakes of all kinds.  Your best safety device is keeping control of your dog by having him on a leash.  Should your pet get bitten by a rattlesnake, keep him calm and immediately transport him to an animal care center that carries anti-venin.

There is much holiday fun to be had with your best canine or feline by your side, but know their limits, be vigilant to their health and safety needs, and be in the moment with them like they are with you to make precious memories together!

WATCH MY VIDEO VLOG ON THIS TOPIC AT https://youtu.be/dOW6V7rZhnI

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Denise Fleck is an award winning author and freelance writer.  After extensive training, practice, more training and more practice, she developed her own Pet First-Aid & CPR curriculum and has been teaching animal life-saving skills for close to 20 years with many success stories to share.  Additionally she developed a 5 month long Animal Care course for high school students in conjunction with the Burbank Unified School District and Animal Shelter.  She has demonstrated animal life-saving skills on CBS –TV’s “The Doctors,” Animal Planet’s “Pit Boss,” “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life” and countless other shows. To complement her teachings, Denise created a line of Pet First-Aid Kits, posters and books for children teaching animal respect and care!  Visit www.PetSafetyCrusader.com or call (818) 951-7962.

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post Memorial Day Weekend Safety for Pets appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.

Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans.  Ebola, Zika & Hanta virus along with Swine & Bird flu may come to mind.  HIV was a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans in the early 20^th century but has now evolved into a separate human-only disease.  In fact, 61% of the pathogens affecting humans are zoonotic!  The increasing number and significance of zoonotic diseases emerging worldwide are due to multiple converging factors: climate change, increasing urbanization, human encroachment in wild areas, increased global travel and, for companion animals, increasing intimacy with humans (Yay! They ARE part of the family!)  Zoonotic injuries include dog bites, cat scratches, tick and insect bites and stings, however…

Humans canNOT get Distemper from your canine pal any more than he can get Feline Rhinotracheitis from his kitty housemate.  Knowing which diseases transfer between species and their signs and symptoms is vital if you share your life with animals, but also practice proper hygiene by thoroughly washing hands and wearing gloves when cleaning up after your best pal. The tiniest paper cut is bacteria’s highway into your bloodstream!

ANYTIME you are bitten or scratched, wash the area for 10 minutes with Chlorhexidine, find out the animal’s vaccination info and have the wound looked at by a medical professional.  Symptoms of Rabies range from fever and muscle aches, to nausea, agitation, hallucinations, aggressiveness and paralysis, while swollen lymph nodes are usually a sign of Cat Scratch Fever.  Learning to properly handle pets and respond to their ever-changing body language may keep you safe.

Toxoplasmosis can cause blindness in an unborn human, so it is of concern to pregnant women as well as anyone with a compromised immune system.   Most people possess the antibody, but a blood test can let you know for sure.  Outdoor cats are the primary hosts shedding this parasitic disease via their feces.  They may or may not demonstrate symptoms of lethargy, fever, weight loss, vomiting and/or diarrhea.  In humans, enlarged lymph nodes, headache, fever (mononeucleosis-like symptoms) may indicate infection.

Giardia & Coccidia are intestinal parasites.  To prevent, provide pets with clean water and bowls and discourage them from eating feces.  Also don’t let them drink from communal bowls at dog parks, and bring along fresh water so that they don’t lap out of lakes and streams.  If in spite of your best attempts, massive quantities of vomit or diarrhea erupt, always wear rubber gloves when cleaning up and save those kisses for when your pooch is back in good health!

Got Ringworm?  Avoid direct contact with pets having a missing patch of hair or scabby circle.  This fungus will leave ring-shaped bumpy spots on human skin requiring medical treatment.

Lyme Disease (measles-like eruptions accompanied by muscle aches, nausea and swollen lymph nodes) and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (‘target’-shaped rash bringing with it headache and nausea) are both tick-borne diseases.  Keep pets free of parasites and check yourself after hikes.  Although humans don’t get this one, watch cats for Cytauxzoonosis!  It comes from the Lone Star and American Dog Tick.  Also known as Bobcat Fever, it causes felines to go down fast and they can die within days of being bitten as the infection prevents blood from flowing to tissues resulting in multiple organ failure.  Please be reminded that even indoor cats CAN get parasites!

Also keep dogs up-to-date on vaccinations and/or titer testing for Springtime-emerging  Leptospirosis (wetter environments, near lakes and streams) which humans can get as well.  Actually it is the the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world that has been found in almost all species of mammals!

Don’t downplay the importance of Heartworm testing BEFORE you see your first mosquito. Prevention costs less than one weekly bistro-made coffee, whereas treatment can be expensive and difficult.  Initial symptoms are unseen, but cough followed by shortness of breath, abnormal lung sounds, fluid retention, loss of blood to the brain and death can occur if a heartworm positive dog goes untreated.  Watch my VIDEO VLOG here to learn more:  https://youtu.be/fRxUIoIAxgs

Wear a dust mask when cleaning bird cages, and note green droppings and eye or nasal discharge.  Psittacosis or Parrot Fever also infects budgies, gulls, cockatiels, sparrows and ducks.  Humans end up coughing, vomiting and having pneumonia-like symptoms.

In actuality, you are more likely to contract Salmonella from under-cooked food, but still, wash hands thoroughly after handling reptiles and amphibians.  Abdominal cramping and diarrhea are effects of Salmonella which can be fatal!  Remember though that any symptom can be associated with a number of diseases, so only your medical care professional knows for sure!

In spite of disease we may catch from our pets, pets ARE part of the family and they can improve our human family members’ health!  The inverse of Zoonoses is Zooeyia (ZOO-ey-ah).  The word comes from the Greek root word zoion (animal) and from the Greek Goddess of Health, Hygeia.  If you share your life with a pet, this should come as no surprise, but there is now scientific proof that including pets in the family unit can actually improve wellness.

Besides helping us develop stronger immune systems, lowering our stress and blood pressure…

• Pets get us moving. Humans of all ages with dogs in the family exercise more than those who do not share their life with a pet as the dog’s need for walks gets us up and moving too. When we don’t move, obesity and diabetes can reach epidemic portions in both children and adults.  Physical activity also supports mental acuity. Studies show that humans who had walked over 72 blocks per week had a greater volume of grey matter 9 years later!
• Pets lower the impact of chronic disease. Studies have shown cats decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in their owners and dogs provide comfort and support to cancer patients. Animals also help in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and dogs who suffer from PTSD as well may benefit from helping a human.
• Pets help kids. It has been shown that children who bond with a pet grow up to be more empathetic adults.  They also often develop stronger immune systems and many develop a stronger sense of responsibility for caring for another species.
• Pets help us ‘kick the habit.’ Knowing secondhand smoke can harm our pets has motivated some smokers to quit!  Inhaling secondhand smoke is a widely recognized risk factor for many diseases, including cancer as well as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
• Pets make us more social. Loneliness and isolation occur in our increasingly urbanized lifestyles, especially among the elderly. Having a pet gets people out meeting people (dogs can be ‘babe magnets’), taking part in activities with other pet parents, heading to parks, hiking and just staying in touch with the world. Caring for a pet gives many a reason to get up each morning!

 A few vowels make a big difference between disease and good health when it comes to sharing life with our animal friends.  Familiarize yourself with the signs of zoonotic diseases and embrace the good health and times that come to us via zooeyia!

Catch my Video VLOG on this topic:  https://youtu.be/TSy7epI-qk4

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For 20 years Denise Fleck’s Sunny-dog Ink motto has been “Helping people to help their pets,” and she has…teaching more than 15,000 pet lovers animal life-saving skills and millions more on “The Doctors,” CNN, “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life,” Animal Planet and other TV shows.  Denise is a frequent conference speaker, developed a line of pet first aid kits and now offers classes online.  

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post Zoonoses OR Zooeyia?  One Can Make Us Sick While the Other…Increases Wellness appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.